Major Requirements

All SJMC majors must complete the Requirements for SJMC Majors. In addition, Magazine and Brand Media majors must complete the courses outlined below.

Required Magazine and Brand Media Courses

• JMC 63 Video for Journalists – Use of video technology to communicate effectively in a journalistic environment, with emphasis on field production. Identification of stories best-suited to video storytelling; basic principles of video storytelling and creation of a compelling narrative; operation of a variety of video cameras and of non-linear video editing software; technical and artistic fundamentals for gathering and editing audio and video; writing specifically for the ear and eye; preparation of video stories for web presentation; on-camera presentation; and use of video as a marketing and branding tool. Pre-req: JMC 54 and JMC 31.
  
• JMC 70 Media Editing – Editing for newspapers, magazines and websites. Heavy emphasis on grammar, usage and Associated Press style. Also includes editing for accuracy, organization, structure, clarity, cultural sensitivity and fairness; headline and cutline writing; coaching writers; and law and ethics. Pre-req: JMC 54.
• JMC 84 Brand Media Principles — Explores the role of brand media in society. Students will develop an understanding of owned content, sponsored content, and branded content, as well as magazines as brands. In addition, students will gain an understanding of audience and mission, and the role of advertising in brand media. Students will acquire a foundation in the basic components of brand media including content for print, digital, and social platforms. Students will explore specialization of content for a targeted audience, the editorial process, and content types, as well as be introduced to voice and tone. Students will examine the categories of brand media including consumer, business-to-business, association, advocacy, and sponsored, and the content associated with each. Students will explore ethical implications for journalists as they attempt to balance the needs of audiences and advertisers.
• JMC 91 Magazine Staff Writing – Professional approach to writing as part of a magazine staff includes story pitches, interviewing, research, writing, peer editing, rewriting, fact-checking, proofreading. Students identify an audience and develop an editorial philosophy and formula to serve that audience. Article writing includes briefs, blogging, profile, travel, features and multimedia production. Pre-req: JMC 54.
• JMC 105 Web Page Design – Introduces students to the basics of designing pages for the web. Students will learn to write HTML and CSS. They will create a website using a content management system (WordPress). Topics explored include search engine optimization, social media, web analytics, and current trends in digital media.
• JMC 119 Brand Media Planning – Overview of the magazine industry includes its history, ethics, and social influence, including racial, ethnic and other demographic shifts; market considerations such as advertising, audience research, circulation, marketing, and ancillary revenue; and editorial philosophies and formulas, design principles, and production. Students put concepts to practical use in detailed business plan, including 5-year budget and 18-page prototype for a magazine they create. Pre-reqs: JMC 41; JMC 59; JMC 70 or JMC 91.
• JMC 120 Magazine Freelance Writing – Article writing for specifically targeted media outlets, from print magazines to consumer websites. Includes intensive editing of student work in and outside of class; critiques and analyses of professional work; and strategies on targeting and pitching of potential outlets. Students research, write and rewrite multiple pieces, from profiles to features, essays to reviews. Pre-req: JMC 63, 91.
  
• JMC 172 Journalism Capstone – Senior journalism capstone in which Magazine Media, News and Digital Media Production students collaborate as a professional staff to produce a web publication, including all editorial, multimedia, design, production, marketing, promotion and distribution activities. Pre-req: JMC 40, 55, 70, 119, 120; senior status.
  
• JMC electives – up to 5 credits

See the Forms page for downloadable checksheets.